Chapter 23
Vivian
“You are a beautiful bride,” Nikki cooed. “I’m jealous.”
She’d arrived with Enzo only hours before, a carefully calculated arrival that had been planned to the letter. A wedding that had been planned in a fog. There was so much at stake, but I’d never been happier.
Yet even in the blissful state of mind I’d found myself in, the anxiety from thoughts of what could occur weighed heavily on me. We were pitting three separate, dangerous crime syndicates against each other. All three with the capabilities of destroying a good portion of New York.
All with much to lose.
My family the most.
Including my baby sister.
I twisted in front of the mirror, sighing as I did. The dress was perfect. “Not nearly as fancy as your wedding.”
“You always told me the best relationships weren’t about money.”
As I turned to face her, there was a moment I truly hoped we were wrong about Enzo. She seemed happier than I’d known her to be. But I also noticed something in her eyes that indicated questions.
“That’s true. I’m surprised Enzo managed to get away. From what you’d told me on the phone, his business activities kept him from enjoying much free time.”
“True. After the honeymoon, which was cut short, he’s been home less and less.
The only reason he offered to come with me was so that he could handle some business while he was here.
” She laughed bitterly, the information she provided important.
“But enough about me. This is your day. I was shocked to hear about your marriage. Where did you meet that handsome man?”
“Would you believe on the plane?”
Her eyes opened wide. “Fate is an incredible creature. Isn’t she?”
“What makes you think fate is a ‘she’?”
She continued fiddling with my dress, unable to look me in the eyes. “Because fate can be a bitch.”
“I’ll grant you that. I feel like we were destined to meet.”
“Even if he’s Russian Bratva?”
“Now, who told you that?”
Nikki snorted. “That was one of the first things my darling husband said while on the plane after demanding I tell him the name of the groom. I had to look it up in your email that you sent. He acted… strange.”
“Well, Italians and Russians have a long history of brutality. But that doesn’t matter. The Bratva are here in New York nurturing completely legitimate business operations. In fact, our father and uncle are jealous.”
“Jealous? They’re livid. Don’t think otherwise. I’m just shocked our father allowed you to marry him.” Nikki took a step away, her entire face pinched. “He does plan everything about our lives.”
“Which is why I told him flat out that he wasn’t going to control my life any longer.”
“I envy you being able to do that. I can’t. I’m not strong enough.”
“Bullshit. You are one of the strongest women I know. You need to make yourself happy, whatever that means.” I walked toward her, realizing the joy I’d seen in her eyes had all but disappeared.
“I wish you were right.”
“Are you happy?” I asked her at the same time our cousin walked into the room bearing champagne and three glasses.
“How could she not be?” Kathleen asked. “Did she tell you that man has purchased every piece of jewelry in Italy? We should all be so lucky. Granted, you found a hottie, cuz. If you get bored…”
“Very funny,” I said in passing, keeping my gaze locked on my sister who was struggling to find a way to share something with me.
Nikki didn’t move or smile, her eyes flitting toward Kathleen and back to me.
“How did you trap him again?” My cousin seemed unaware of my sister’s unhappiness. Like father, like daughter.
I’d never truly hated being born into my family until now. “We hit it off. We were honest with each other.”
“Honesty is the best policy, right?” Nikki asked.
“The two of you are morbid,” Kathleen continued. “This is supposed to be a celebration.” When the champagne cork popped, she laughed.
I’d yet to ask her how her love life was going. Right now, I needed to follow through with a discussion with Nikki. After this was finished, I didn’t want her hating me.
“Kathleen, will you check and see if everything is in order?” I asked her. “I’m getting a little nervous. We should be about ready to start.”
She eyed me curiously but nodded. “You’re a worry wart, but sure. Don’t start on the champagne without me.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it,” Nikki told her.
I gripped my sister’s arms, waiting until Kathleen closed the door. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.”
“You’re a terrible liar. Talk to me. I’m your big sister.”
She bit her lower lip. “I don’t know. Enzo is different. Yes, he plies me with gifts, but he acts as if I’m a burden. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Maybe business just as he told you.”
“I guess.” She pulled away and I could tell she was weighed down by something. “Certainly not the fairytale I’d hoped for.”
“Sometimes things aren’t as they seem.”
“I know. But it seems like you really love Kirill and I can tell how much he loves you by the way he looks at you. Enzo doesn’t do that any longer.”
I wanted to beat the hell out of the Italian myself. “Try and remember things happen for a reason. Maybe fate will step in again.”
“That’s cryptic as hell. So much so I need champagne.”
I didn’t try to stop my sister, instead twisting the special watch on my wrist as I glanced at the time. On cue, there was a knock on the door.
“Uh-oh,” Nikki said, teasing. “Another boyfriend?”
“Very funny. Kirill would kill them.” When I opened the door, I was quickly pulled into an emotional moment. This wedding was real. I was getting married.
And to the most handsome man on earth.
Who stood in the doorway, taking a few seconds away from the reason he’d interrupted to swallow the lump in his throat.
“No! You can’t be here!” Nikki shrieked and raced in front of me, holding out her arms.
“Oh, yes, he can. Any man bringing gifts is allowed.” My laugh was mostly real, although the present was staged. Still, the fact he looked edible in his tux was a delicious bonus.
“I wanted you to have something before the wedding,” he said as he approached, a velvet box in his hand.
“I don’t need gifts. I just need you.”
“You’ll be forced to deal with me for the rest of your life, but you only have one wedding day.” His voice was deep, gravelly, and holding the weight of the event. As soon as he opened the box, Nikki was the first to scream.
“Look at those rubies and diamonds. That is gorgeous. Just… gorgeous. I’ll get the champagne ready.” She giggled as she walked away.
“Yes, it is,” I agreed, winking as he pulled the necklace from the box. “It has the tracker in it like we talked about?”
“In the largest ruby,” he answered.
Nikki didn’t say anything, but she was paying close attention. A part of me hated what we were doing.
What we were forced to do.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered as he lowered his head, whispering in my ear as he placed the stunning piece around my neck. “And you’re all mine. Just remember not to take the necklace off. The tracker is there for a reason.”
Every word he whispered sent a wave of heat between my legs.
“Yes, sir. You are so good to me,” I whispered. “But Nikki is right. You shouldn’t be in here.”
“I can be anywhere I want. Remember that I don’t follow anyone’s rules. I suggest you keep that in your pretty head.” He smacked me on the bottom before heading to the door.
I spun around, giggling as I did. Yes, the man could steal any woman’s heart. No longer. He was mine. What a refreshing thought.
Yet the reality of what we were doing had created a permanent knot in my stomach.
When he was gone, my sigh was heavy from desire. “He is so handsome,” I purred.
“Yes, he is. A big, strong man.” Nikki brought the champagne, this time the look in her eyes full of concern for me. “Is there something going on I should know about? You’re worried about me, but I can tell Kirill is nervous.”
“He’s just being cautious. Something happened a couple weeks ago, a man trying to kill his boss and the man’s family at their son’s christening.
A ghost that Kirill has been hunting. That’s the reason for the extra precautions.
The family is afraid the person will try something equally as disturbing.
” I thought about how much danger I’d already placed her in before heading to my small clutch and pulling out a picture. “Take a look at this.”
She did, barely reacting. “Who is he?”
“From what Kirill believes, the Ghost. Have you ever seen him?”
My sister had never been a good liar, but she didn’t twitch, didn’t blink. “Honestly, no. But keep in mind, I was all but shut out of everything.”
“Well, if you ever see him, run.”
“Everything you told me is terrible. Aren’t you terrified?”
“Not in the least. I know the entire Bratva has my back. And that man stole my heart.”
She lifted her glass, waiting until I clinked mine with hers. “You’re very lucky. Don’t take love for granted.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
The minutes ticked by in a blur until I was led outside, my father as stoic as I’d known he’d be. Yet he did his part, pretending as if he cared, even seeming joyful in giving his oldest daughter away.
Weddings had never been something I enjoyed.
Until now.
My own wedding.
In a fancy church with a couple hundred people watching me pledge my love and honor to a man for the rest of my life.
Everything about the event was completely ceremonial, awe inspiring in a way I hadn’t noticed before.
As I stood at the altar in front of the priest, everything around me fell into a complete vacuum. The people. The majesty of the church. The echo of the man’s words. I was locked onto Kirill, who seemed particularly nervous.
With Kazimir as his best man, the two made a formidable duo.
Every family member was here, my mother and father appearing stoic, my sister beaming while sitting next to her husband. Even he had a smile on his face.
But with soldiers positioned everywhere, the moment remained surreal.